By: Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
Ipoh – Siti Munirah Mohd Ali, 37, has proven that a lecturer’s career does not hinder her from emerging as the Best Student Winner of the Perak Theatre Academy 13 (AKTEP 13).
According to her, her involvement as a student in AKTEP 13 was a dual-purpose endeavour to enhance her teaching and learning skills as a lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Kompas International College, Ipoh.
“After joining this program, my confidence and communication skills improved significantly. Likewise, my creative thinking skills were enhanced, and I will use this experience to improve my current career performance.
“AKTEP produces students who are not only good for the theatre but also for becoming knowledgeable and cultured individuals. The knowledge in AKTEP 13 relates to humanities that can be used throughout our lives.
“Theatre introduces us to humanity through each character portrayed. This experience helps us to better understand ourselves and others. This knowledge can be used to prepare us for the challenging outside world,” she said in an interview at the 13th Perak Theatre Academy Awards Night at the National Department of Culture and Arts Auditorium (JKKN) recently.
The AKTEP 13 Awards Night tested the talents and abilities of 17 students through the performance of the play “Biar Ku Dukung” written by Yusof Bakar and directed by Ard Omar.
Siti Munirah played the role of a single mother to three children, one of whom is a disabled person.
“Playing the role of a mother caring for a disabled child is very challenging because it involves a lot of emotions that are too heavy for my age.
“However, none of it became a barrier; everything I learned during the four weeks in AKTEP was utilized to the fullest, and the results were amazing.
“All AKTEP 13 students are talented and successfully portrayed the characters given. This is the result of learning from AKTEP 13 instructors who guided us,” she said, receiving a replica check for RM500, along with other prizes.
Second place went to Tang Yuan Sin (RM400); Third, Mai Nurul Atifah Meor Rosli (RM 300); Fourth, Muhamad Safwan Azmi (RM200), and Fifth, Choong Siew Lee. They also received additional prizes from sponsors.
Meanwhile, the Best Actress was won by Seri Nur Zulaika Abd Halim, and the Best Actor was won by Zulman Zeki Supardi. Each received a cash prize of RM50.00.
The prizes were presented by the Director of JKKN Perak, Abdul Rashid Abdullah, and the Principal of AKTEP, Mohd Yusof Najmi Othman.
